Tray elevation adjustment



April 4, 1961 L. L. ANDERSON ErAL 2,978,113

TRAY ELELVATION ADJUSTMENT Filed July 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E E-E A rrok/VE ys INV ENTORS April 4, 1961 L. L. ANDERSON ErAL 2,978,113 TRAY ELEvATIoN ADJUSTMENT Filed July 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E E-E-s INVENTORS Mya 4105/9504,/ aferf/amvso,

rraeA/FYS United States Patent Y 2,918,113 u TRAY nLEv'AnoN ADJUSTMENT i Lloyd L. Anderson, Rapids;v Robert E. Johnson,"

Marne, YandRobert G. Metzger and Andrew J. Van -Noord, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors toV Jervis Corporation, Grandville, lMieh.,a corporation ofrMichigan The present investis@ fantasie 'a tray gr shelf ang* justment and more particularlyftohan elevation adjustment for trays assembled invrtical spaced, apart relationship on a threaded vertical'pst. Stillm-ore specifically the present inventionV comprisesa novel selectively ref' versible ratchet device whichY self-centers when not in use andwhich 4is normallybiased `to apreselected posiofY shelving served. l v

`In household shelving it` is frequently necessary that the spacing between shelves Ybe adjusted. Heretofore such adjustment has been accomplished by incremental stagesl using marginal clips which coact with clip tracks 'running vertically up adjacent walls. In rotatableshelf structures devices of varioustypes have been used which moveupward and dowhwardfon a vertical post.F In 'some instances the post is stationary and the shelvingis rotated'in cooperationwith athread on the postto raise orilower selected shelves'. fInLother'instances the postf is rotated and threadingfon'the pst cooperates with fa support bracketV to ,raise orV lower the shelving. l Such Patented Apr. 4, 1961 P ICAC of shelves mountedon a vertical threaded post and the shelves supported byelevationadjusting members.

Figure 2 is a partial top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1 and taken on line II-II of Figure 1 illustrating the handle Vposition ofthe elevation adjusting members in rest position biased in close proximity to Y IV-IV of Figure Brand .illustrating the cooperation be-n tween component elements inthe assembledelevation ad, justing member.`

Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view of the eleva#` tion adjusting member shown in Figure 4 and showing y j l s v phantom-line showing tion so as to be non-mte'rfering with respect to the useV the individual elements in their relationship to a threaded vertical column.. j Y,

VAFigure 6 is a partial planY view showing the neutral pawlposition injrelationship to the adjusting nut, the movement of pawl against the pawl spring. Y

e VFigure 7 is a partial plan View showing the position' of the pawl in relationship to the adjusting nut for moving the shelf member downward, the phantom line indicating travel of the pawl against the pawl spring on the disengaged portion of the stroke.

Y -jFigure 8 is a partial plan View showing the Vposition thepawl in relationship to the 'adjusting' nut-for moving,

the shelfl member'upward', the phantom line. indicating retraction of the pawl against the pawl spring the disdevices have causedV eonsiderab1ediiculty n that"they cluttered the storage-area of the-shelf-and presented difficult bearing problems'in actual applications where the post orl coluinn' was located substantially at' the serifter of `the shelf servedn v In addition, the prior shelving adjustments wereunhandyg'or clumsy to use. Where a threadeclpost rotated, provisionlwas requiredfto dis-V I engage selected shelvesrandiengage others for adjust` ment. The'stationary post systems required'pfull rotation of the fshelf or shelf lifter element for adjustment.

space -be wasted.. *Y v j *Y @accordingly itis one ofuthelobjects of thepresent inf.

ventionto provide@ adjustableside mgountedswing outV to provide" an 'adjustment which will t In plural 'shelf refrigerators', for`e amplethese prob engaged portion of the stroke. Y

-1Figure-9 is asection viewltaken on line IX-l-IX of? Figure-4, and indicates the return spring biasarrang'e-` ment in the ratchet portion of the actuator. .l

' General description In general a-.housed nut engages a threaded no'n-iotat-l i able vertical column or post. A handle portion extends outwardly from the housing. The handle portion oon?v tains a selectively reversible pawl assembly biased nor-l mally into a neutralposition against the ratchet ex' teriorofthel housed nut. A partially split sleeve is priovided `having a anged base which axiallyV surrounds or houses a portion of the threadedvertical column.V The sleeve providesmountingmeans for a shelf member. An

3 assembly and keeper ring peripherally secured tothe housing retains ,thesleeve in axial engagement with the nut. annular.Y locating spring ring is positioned beasheif-'adjustment having positive control overboth the il" lowering-1 and' raisins oilassciatdhlveslff 1... 'Aiil Y@bien .is ...the Provision .Oife Shelf elavatien, adjusting` feature wherein the shelves s ervednarede tent controlled upon swing in.

Other objects including simplicitypeconomy, and trou-V y ble A free construction `will be more .appreciated by those skilled inthe art as theldesriptionproceeds, Y

Inthe drawings:

tween the`,.flange -ofthe sleeve and the keeper ringin.. iexuralfengagement.,with the sleeve and housing. Be#Y neath the nut, a thrust washer having upwardly extending' detent points, engages the lower face of the nut, the de! tent points extendingintothe groove circleof the ratchet:v

portion of the nut. `This arrangement retards any tend. ency of the nut tormove in Athe non-thrust portion of the pawl stroke.. The splitsleeve ,provides a mount for.

shelving. The ,shelving `fits `over -the- Sleeve in bearing contact therewith. i The sleeve, -byf reason of its being secured .to the housingaswell as ,the shelf orY platform, provides a .positive Vmovement klinkto the shelf. Y The sleeve isvkeyed to the vertical postas is the thrustwasher withl itsdetent faces,V This ,keying prevents rotation of the sleeve .or detent washer.

When in use, the housed ratchet and pawl struetureisf' engaged by means ofthe sleeve with the shelvingon the post. The position of the device is spring biasedto aY preselected Aout-of-the-vvay location.l If the handle noV motion would be` imparted tothe-associated shelf.-

LfY-.fieft-.l een@.gaatinentingen.9a Per -ff 1f the pawl-SWW@ .rotated tft/eiseres frase lower position and the pawl structure is rotatably reciprocated in a substantially horizontal plane, then, depending upon the selected rotation of the pawl structure, the shelf is moved upwardly or downwardly. The shelf does not rotate with this action, but it may be disengaged from detent positioning for swing out on the vertical post.

Specific description Referring more specifically to the drawing, Figure 1 shows aplurality of horizontal shelves 11 in vertical parallel spaced apart relation on a threaded vertical post 12. Supporting each shelf 11 at its hub 13 is an actuator device 14. In Figure 2 the normal biased position of the actuator 14 is shown in relation to swing out shelves 11 mounted adjacent to the door facing of a cabinet 15. Suitable top and bottom sockets 16 and 17 secure the vertical threaded post 12 against rotation and in xed relationship to the cabinet 15.

The actuator assembly 14 is best shown with reference to Figure illustrating the component parts.

The hub 13 of shelf 11 is integral with shelf 11 and is smoothly recessed to mount over the post 12, and to bear against a tubular extension 18 of a anged sleeve 19. The annular base 20 of the hub 13 is provided with raised segments 21 and 22 which, as will be seen, cooperate with the raised flange segments 23 and 24 on the 4 to tit over the threaded post 12. A radial extension 46 toward the center of the washer 44 is located to engage the keyway 27 in the threaded post 12. A spring washer 47 bent transversely of its axis is located beneath the washer 44.

The operating handle 48 provides housing means for the actuating assembly. AA major recess 49 is provided in the housing or handle 48 coaxial with the sleeve 19 and ange 25 of the sleeve 19. The cooperative interrelationship of the parts is best shown in Figure l. On the outer periphery of the flange 25 on the sleeve 19, is a spring engaging post 25a. The tubular extension 18 of the sleeve 19 is split as by slots 28 and 29 for a substantial portion of its length and the internal bore of the tube 18 is upset as by the spline 26 to matingly engage the key way 27 longitudinally provided in the threaded post 12. The slots 28 and 29 allow the hub 13 to be assembled over the tubular extension 18. Lips 30 and 31 at the upper periphery of the tubular extension 18 thus flare out over the hub 13 securely interlocking hub 13 and sleeve 19. The normal outside diameter of the sleeve 19 is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the hub 13. The slots 28 and 29 in the sleeve 19 admit of collapse sufficient to allow the lips 30 and 31 to take a shape conforming substantially to the inside diameter of the hub 13. In this manner the sleeve 19 is pushed into the hub 13 and the lips 30 and 31 expand to perform a retaining function retaining the sleeve 19 on one end while the ange 25 retains it on the other end of the hub 13. An assembly ring or keeper 32, which is generally annular in shape is interposed around the sleeve 19 and the hub 13 (Figure 4). The assembly ring 32 comprises a short tubular portion 33, and an upper peripheral and integral flange 34. The ange 34 is cut away at 35 to provide, as -will be seen, assembly access and locking means against the spring 36. The spring 36 has a clearance diameter in relationship to the tubular portion 33 of the ring 32. The ends 37 and 38 of the spring 36 are bent one upward and one downward. 'The spring 36 is thus coaxial with the assembly ring 32 and is provided with an upwardly extending end 37 and downwardly turned end 38. The function of the attachment of the upwardly and downwardly turned spring ends 37 and 38 will be better appreciated as the description proceeds. The extending ends 37 and 38 of the spring 36 are located to lock engage opposite edges of the post 25a of sleeve 19 as best shown in Figure 3.

A nut 39 is provided, having an upper annular smooth bearing surface 40 and internal threads 41 for coaxial engagement with the threaded vertical post 12. The lower shoulder portion of the nut 39 (lower with respect to Figure 5) is serrated, the serrations 42 being spline-like and extending a substantial length of the nut 39. The tit of nut 39 to the threaded post 12 is of the running class. These serration recesses 42 are engageable over bumps 43, provided on the upper surface of the washer 44. Thewasher 44 is provided with an opening 45 so as post 12. A minor recess 50 through the radial extension 51 of the handle 48 provides housing means for the ratchet operatingassembly 52, as will be seen. The minor recess 50 opens transversely into the major recess 49.

The major recess 49 comprises a through opening having a lower shoulder 53 (Figure 4) which receives the spring washer 47, the washer 44 and the nut 39. The serrations 42 of the nut 39 are thus located adjacent the recess 50. An intermediate shoulder 54 of larger diameter than the lower shoulder 53 receives the ange 25 of the sleeve 19. The return spring 36 nests in clearance relationship around the keeper ring 32. The flange 34 of the ring 32 slips into the annular groove 55 in a twisting action made possible by the cut-away portion 3S and the relief 56 in the handle 48 adjacent the major recess 49. When assembled the tubular extension 33 of the ring 32 bears on the ange 25 of the sleeve 19 and the return spring 36 is attached at both ends to the housing or handle 48 and to the sleeve post 25a. Attachment to the handle 48 is accomplished by reason of the radial inwardly facing barrier 57 which coincides with the sleeve post 25a when the spring 37 is tensionally assembled as best shown in Figure 3. The whole sleeve assembly is axially positioned over the threaded post 12.

As will be appreciated the interrelationship between spring 36, post 25a and barrier 57 under tension establishes the normal bias location of the handle 48 in radial relationship from the threaded post 12. Thus as the handle 48 is rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise relation the spring return is to the preselected position aligning post 25a and barrier 57.

The minor recess 50 axially provides a mounting for the ratchet assembly 52. As best shown in Figures 3 and 4 the ratchet assembly 52 comprises a knob 58 having an axially recessed cut away sleeve extension 59. A shaft 60 is xedly attached to said knob 58 and extends axially therefrom. Over said shaft 60, and in the cutaway sleeve extension 59 of knob 58, is a knob biasing coil spring 61, the ends 62 and 63 of which extend to shoulder against the semi circular retaining element 64 on one side of the minor recess 50 (Figure 9). annular spring retainer 65 on the shaft 60 secures the spring 61 in position against axial dislodgment and provides a pressure seat for the pawl spring 66. The pawl spring 66 is over the shaft 60 and is of the compression type bearing against the spring retainer 65 at one end and the pawl `67 on the other end. The pawl 67 is mounted on the shaft 60 so as to reciprocate on the shaft 60 against the pawl spring 66. A pin 68 through the shaft 60, proximate to its end extends radially into a pawl slot 69 provided in the pawl 67 so as to provide rotational coordination as between knob 58 and pawl 67. Thus, in the normal position, the pawl 67 is fully extended on the shaft 60. The pawl 67 is cylindrical at its base with its forward end truncated. The truncation, 70 results in a forwardly extending tip 71 'which in plan view is conic n form.

A semi circular annular groove 72 is provided in the shoulder 73 of the knob 58. This provides stop means upon rotation of the knob 58 through 90 degrees in either direction on its axis from the normal rest position. A screw 74, through the radial extension 51 of the handle 48 extends into the groove 72. The section view of Figures 3 and 4 best illustrates the described interrelationship of the pawl assembly in the extension 51. When the handle 48 is in its normal position the pawl 67 extends into the serrations 42 of the 'nut 39, but as will be yappreciated, rtegiprhocation of the handle 48'does notmove thenut39` on the .threadedpostglZ since the conic tip,71V

slips over the shoulders of the serrations42 with the pawl 67 reciprocating on the shaft 60 against Vthe spring 66 (Figure 6). Clockwise rotation of the knob 58, however, positions the pawl 67 for moving engagement withV the serrations 42 of the nut `39. Y As the handle 48 is reciprocated the stroke in one direction moves the nut 39through the arc of lthe handle movement and on the return of the handle'48 allows the pawl 67 to override the serrations 42 (Figure A8). As illustrated, this raises the entire assembly and the associated' shelf 11. Manually applied counterclockwise movement of the knob 58 reverses the position ofthetpawl 67 'for lowering action on the nut 39 (Figure 7 -Any tendencyon the part `of thelpawl 67 to carry the nut 39 with it on its return movement` is resisted by reason of the `washer 44 which is keyed to the threadedA post 12 and `whose bumps43 resiliently yengage thejserrations 42 to resist movement on the nut 39.; This resistance is aided by the bearingv load supplied by the spring washer 47. Upon release rof the handle 48 the extension 51 obeys its spring bias to return to aselected out-of-the-wayfposition, and the pawl 67 and knob 58 are returned, to neutral position. i

The uniqe construction -of the described actuating structure h provides Vpositive upward movement of the shelves 1 1Vinasmuch as the nut 39 directly bears on the ange 25 ofthe sleeve 19. Thusclockwiserotation of the nut`-39 raises the shelf 11 which is secured to the sleeve 19. As the nut 39 is rotated in a counterclockwise manner the handle housing 48 is drawn downwardly with the nut and the ring 32 transmits down-pulling force to the ange 25 of.v the sleeve 19 thereby urging the shelf 11 downwardly in a positive' manner. Y

The raised segments 21 and 22 on the hub 13 of the shelf 12 (phantom line in Figure 1) nest between the raised segments 23 and 24 of the ange 25 of the sleeve 19. This provides detent locating control over the swing out of shelf 11. This is the position, for example, when the shelf 11 is at rest in the cabinet. When the shelf 11 is rotated outwardly, the raised segments 21 and 22 ride over the segments 23 and 24 on the ange 25, their relative nesting positions at rest being overcome by the swingout motion. When the shelf 11 is returned, the interlock between segments 21, 22 and 23, 24 is re-established and.

the shelf 11 is provided with a resistance to swing-out which can be manually overcome. The hub 13 thus is rotatable on the tubular portion 18 of the sleeve 19. The

Typical illustration of operation is to be found in considering, for example, a modern refrigerator where the increase in capacity of the cabinet makes certain portions of the refrigerator shelves relatively inaccessible. In such a setting a fixed threaded post 12 is vertically oriented adjacent one of the door openings. The post 12 thus provides a pivot about which shelves 11 can be swung out clear of the enclosure of the cabinet 15 (Figures l and 2). As desired the post mounting area may be completely recessed in the cabinet wall so as not to interfere with storage. Each shelf v11 is thus cantilevered from the post 12. The hub 13 of each shelf directly bears upon an actuating assembly as desired. In normal use the extension 51 of the handle 48 is positioned out of the way and against theiwall of the cabinet 15. This position obtains Vby reason of the normal spring bias applied engagement with the serrated ratchet surface of the nut 39. Now rotational reciprocation of the handle 48 accomplishes selected movement or adjustment of the shelf marking of Raise on the upper surface Vof the knob 58 and Lower lon the lower surfaceof the knob 58 provides visual means for the housewife to easily comprehend theselected position for adjustment. Ninety degree rotation of the knob ,58 in a clockwise direction brings Raise into visual prominence. VNinety degree counterclockwise rotation of the knob 58 positions ,Lower for visual prominence. This function is best described visually with reference to Figures` 6, 7, and 8. This arrangement is, of course, applicable to. a right hand thread and mating nut. Using a left hand-thread, as may in some instances-be desirable, would requirea reversal of the recited orientation.. i

The handle 48 is economically prepared using an accul `rate die casting thereby substantially eliminating complicated machining. The sleeve 19 is made preferably from a resilient resin material such as that commonly knownV yas nylon or the like.A The nut 39 is preferably cast from `chrorniurrrplated. The functioning of the described adjustment is smooth andthe cantilever distribution of shelf stresses are neatly transmitted to the vertical threaded post 12.v` The described structure permits independent Vshelfl'leight adjustment for each shelf 11 in a plural relation on a common threaded post 12.

Elevation adjustment is thus accomplished in a manner using an accurate movement short of complete rotation.

The resin materials in the structure dampen metallic sounds during actuation.

Having thus described our invention other modifications will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art and such modifications are intended to be included herein limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

We claim:

1 In a shelf adjustment device for swing out shelves, the'combination comprising: a shelf; a hub portion on said shelf having detent means in association therewith; -a sleeve through said hub having mating detent means in support relationship to said hub and in positive grip thereto; a nut in axial bearing relationship to said sleeve; and having ratchet serrations; a housing around said nut and holding said sleeve; pawl means through said housing in selected reversal relationship with said nut; and a xed threaded post keyed to said sleeve and in threaded engagement with said nut. p

l 2. In a shelf adjustment device for swing out shelves, the combination comprising: a shelf; a hub portion on said shelf having detent means in association therewith; a sleeve through said hub having mating detent means in support relationship to said hub and in positive grip thereto; selectively reversible ratchet and pawl means in Vpositive raising and lowering engagement with said sleeve; a spring locating bias in engaged relationship with said ratchet and pawl means; a second spring bias centering the pawl of said ratchet and pawl means in a neutral position; and a fixed threaded post keyed to said sleeve and in threaded engagement with the ratchet of'said ratchet and pawl means.

3. In a shelf elevation adjusting device for use on a fixed threaded vertical post, the combination comprising: a nut having a cylindrical ratchet serrated external surface and in threadable relationship to said post; a detent bearing washer keyable to said post; a spring washer bearing upwardly on said keyed washer; a housing deliuing a major opening and a transverse minor opening, said major opening seatably receiving said spring washer,

said keyed washer, and said nut; a anged tubular sleeve axially positioned in said major opening, bearing on said nut, and being split to deform inwardly; detent segments extending `froml said ilange 'of' said sleeve; a sleevepost extending upwardly from the periphery of said ange; a'keeper ring seated in'said major opening and' bearing downwardly'on said flange of said sleeve; resilient means around said keeper ring; a barrier integral with said housing and projecting into said major recess and coinciding in position with said sleeve post, both said sleeve post and said barrier retaining ends of said resilent means; and normally neutral selectively reversible pawl means extending axially through'said minor opening in said housing in resilient contact with said ratchet face of said nut.

4. A self neutralizing selectively reversible ratchet and pawl mechanism comprising: a housing deiining a major axis recess and a minor axis recess; a sleeve in said major recess, the inner surface of which is upset for gripping engagement; ratchet means 'in said major recess against which said sleeve bears; detent means in resilient engagement with said ratchet means resisting movement of said ratchet; spring retaining means around said sleeve and centering said sleeve in a normal position with respect to said housing; and a pawl assembly -axially through said minor opening in said housing said pawl assembly including a selecting knob, a shaft on said knob, a normal position biasing spring on said shaft and in engagement with said housing and said knob, a keeper, a compression spring acting on said keeper and on said shaft, a slotted pawl on said shaft retained thereon for axial reciprocation and rotatable with said shaft, and means through said housing 8 and'engaging said knob limiting clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of said knob and attached shaft and pawl; said pawl in resilient engagement with said ratchet surface, and movably engaging said ratchet when said knob is rotated against the bias of said spring and said housing is rotationally reciprocated.

5. In a structure substantially as in claim 4 the combination wherein said sleeve is in keyed relationship to a iixed and threaded post and wherein said ratchet is threadably engageable with said post.

6. In a structure substantially as in claim 5 the combination wherein said sleeve pivotally retains a shelf through an olf-center hub integral with shelf.

7. In a structure substantially as in claim 6 the combination wherein said sleeve is partially longitudinally split to receive said shelf. v 8. In a lstructure substantially in claim 7 the combination wherein said split sleeve is provided with lips which expand with said split sleeve upon assembly to provide a positive grip on said shelf. f

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,018,080 Reston Feb.` 20, 1912 2,182,003 Roark Dec. 5, 1939 2,212,090 Walraven Aug. 20, 1940 2,813,635 Schumacher Nov. 19, 1957 2,836,305 Davey May 27, 1958 

